"Waiting now, just have to wait it out," Rodriguez told the newspaper. "There's nothing I can do but wait it out now."

Rodriguez was hurt when he was hit by a pitch from Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez. The Yankees said then that he was likely to miss four to six weeks.

Rodriguez is batting .276 with a .358 on-base percentage and a .449 slugging percentage in 94 games this season.

Meanwhile, LHP Andy Pettitte, who fractured his left ankle June 28 when he was struck by a line drive, told the Daily News that he felt better after a minor setback in his rehab and was back to riding the stationary bike, swimming and throwing in the cage.

Pettitte said an X-ray on Thursday showed that some swelling in the ankle had gone down.

"I feel much better," he said. "I am just waiting until the doctors tell me I can get on the mound."

More Yankees: OF Ichiro Suzuki got exactly one hit in his 12th straight game with his new team. His hitting streak with one hit in each game is the longest since the Dodgers' Willy Aybar had a 13-game streak in 2006.

ORTIZ STILL AILING: Red Sox DH David Ortiz said the pain from his right Achilles strain has not gone away, and he might receive an injection today to help reduce the inflammation in his heel, ESPN.com reported. Ortiz, who went on the disabled list July 16, told the website that he doesn't expect to return during the homestand that ends Wednesday.

In other Red Sox news, LF Carl Crawford played his eighth straight game a little more than a week after manager Bobby Valentine said the former Ray would be limited to four games in a row because of a medically mandated program. Also, Boston acquired 3B Danny Valencia from the Twins for Class A OF Jeremias Pineda.

YOUKILIS A RENTAL: The White Sox don't plan to pick up 3B Kevin Youkilis' $13 million club option for 2013, the Boston Globe reported. Youkilis, 33, acquired in a June trade with the Red Sox, would become a free agent after the season.

TIGERS-CUBS TRADE: Detroit acquired INF Jeff Baker from Chicago for two minor-leaguers to be named later. Also, the Tigers put OF Ryan Raburn, a former Durant High standout, on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb. And the Cubs called up 3B Josh Vitters and OF Brett Jackson, two of their top prospects, from Triple-A Iowa.

CELEBRITY DONATION: Actor Charlie Sheen, a Reds fan, has pledged to donate $50,000 to the team's Community Fund, matching the amount broadcaster Marty Brennaman raised for charity in return for having his head shaved on the field.

ATHLETICS: RHP A.J. Griffin went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder, and OF Michael Taylor was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. LHP Pedro Figueroa and RHP Evan Scribner were recalled from Sacramento.

BLUE JAYS: RHP Carlos Villanueva left the team for personal reasons, and RHP Jesse Chavez was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. Villanueva will not make his scheduled start against the Rays on Tuesday and will be replaced by LHP J.A. Happ.

PADRES: RHP Miles Mikolas was recalled from Triple-A Tucson to join the bullpen.

RANGERS: All-Star SS Elvis Andrus left in the ninth inning because of pain in his right shoulder.

REDS: 2B Brandon Phillips remained out of the starting lineup with a left calf strain. Phillips, who has yet to start a game in August, is still expected to avoid the disabled list.

There is a reason why the air in Tampa Bay is filled with playoff talk. If Thursday night's 12-8 Bucs preseason win over the Jaguars is any indication, it's also going to be filled with footballs thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston.

TORONTO — Two pitches RHP Chris Archer didn't execute are the ones that stood out Thursday as Josh Donaldson hit them out of the park. But the two solo home runs aside, Archer turned in a sterling outing that went atop the pile of good pitching the Rays keep wasting.

CLEARWATER — Tracey Fritzinger has seen Tim Tebow play baseball a few times this year. The 40-year-old St. Petersburg resident went to two of his games against the Tampa Yankees, along with Joy, her little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.